Sparks

Aug. 29-Sep. 8 – Nugget Best in the West Rib Cook-Off

Sparks rolls into September with the annual Best in the West Rib Cook-Off, otherwise known as the “Super Bowl of Ribs.” Thousands of people flock to Victorian Square to indulge in ribs, live music and drinks from 23 of

Soul singer Whitney Meyer (Photo by Rose Photo)

America’s top pork cookers.

One of our favorite places, Great Basin Brewery, has also been hosting lots of fun events lately, including a free concert with local soul singer and “The Voice” star Whitney Myer, who played on the Downtown Sparks Great Basin stage a couple of weeks ago.

Great Basin (along with other Victorian Square businesses) have no plans of slowing down this month, so after you’ve digested all of the best ribs that the West has to offer, get back out there and walk for a cause, dance, drink, and make some new friends in Sparks.

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Sep. 8 – Balloons and Blues Strut

Put on your best Blues Brothers attire and strut through Victorian Square, stopping at your local haunts to enjoy blues tunes along the way. Presented by the Reno Blues Society, just pay five dollars at any of the locations to receive a wristband, drink specials, and live music. During the Balloons and Blues Strut, all of the bars right next to each other including The Cantina, Mummer’s, Paddy & Irene’s, and Great Basin will be hosting their favorite blues and R&B bands. Check out these bands at these locations who will be rocking throughout the night:

The Cantina- The Hellbusters, 7:30-10:30pm

Mummer’s- The Shiskey Preachers, 7:30-10:30pm

Paddy & Irene’s- Blue Haven, 8-11pm

Great Basin- Soul Connection, 8-11pm

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go towards the RBS music scholarship program.

What better way to get in shape and show your support for the local community than to walk for a cause! The Sparks Marina is the place to be for both Sep. 16th’s Donor Walk and the weekend following for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Put on by the Sierra Nevada Donor Awareness organization (and sponsored by the Dolan Auto Group), the 11th Annual Donor Walk is offered to individuals and teams to showcase the tremendous need for organ, eye, and tissue donations. The event kicks off at 7:30 am and a $30 registration fee includes a goody bag, entertainment, water, and raffle tickets. Sign up today!

On that following Saturday, September 22, the Reno-Sparks 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s will be at Sparks Marina to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s research and those affected by it. Registration will be held at 8am, a ceremony at 9am, and the walk starting at 10am. To start a team, donate, volunteer, or sign up,click here.

Insert Alzheimer’s Walk pic

Sep. 28 – The Premiere of Zig Zag at the Moment Ski Factory

Every year as the temperatures start to drop, ski resort season passes go on sale, and people start to think about dusting off their skis and lovingly gazing towards Mt. Rose, the Moment Ski Factory hosts its annual ski movie premiere. Hundreds of people flock to Sparks’ industrial area, grab a Great Basin beer or two or a snack at one of the food trucks (a couple of years ago Great Basin came out with a beer called Deathwish, named after a pair of Moment Skis), before setting up a lawn chair in the parking lot and watching an action-packed ski flick projected on the side of the factory. This year, Level 1 will present Zig Zag. For more information, click here.

Aug. 29-Sep. 8 – Nugget Best in the West Rib Cook-Off Sparks rolls into September with the annual Best in the West Rib Cook-Off, otherwise known as the “Super Bowl of Ribs.” Thousands of people flock to Victorian Square to indulge in ribs, live music and drinks from 23 of Soul singer Whitney Meyer … Read moreSparks Correspondence – September 2018

This summer is all about Hot August Nights (and Days) in Sparks The 32nd annual classic car event kicks off in Reno/Sparks this Friday, Aug. 3, in Virginia City, and then original and restored vehicles will make their way over to Reno and Sparks for Show N’ Shines, competitions, drag races, and more. Here are my … Read moreSparks Correspondence – August 2018

Summer is in full force in Sparks with a lot going on during the day and night, especially in Victorian Square. The Nugget Casino Resort is hosting its annual Star Spangled Sparks event on the Fourth of July, but as you prepare for the extravagant fireworks display be sure to walk down Victorian Square and … Read moreSparks Correspondence – July 2018

I had the pleasure of meeting fellow NevadaGram contributors David Toll and Dana Nollsch in Sparks a couple of weeks ago to celebrate the restoration of Last Chance Joe! Thanks to Crown Painting, Joe’s holes are patched up, he’s repainted, and the gap-toothed 32-foot optimistic icon is ready to greet Northern Nevada visitors once again. … Read moreSparks Correspondence – June 2018

This month is all about concerts, comics, cuisine, comedy, and craft beers in Sparks. Now that the flowers are starting to bloom and the sun is shining more often, hit the town and check out these fun events coming up. May kicks off with a free comic book day at Omega Frog Comics on May … Read moreSparks Correspondence – May 2018

The month kicks off with egg hunts and Easter brunches on April 1st (but it’s anybody’s guess what the weather will be like since Mother Nature dumped a lot of snow during “Miracle March”). Many churches are holding special Easter services, but places like Red Hawk Golf and Resort and the Nugget Casino Resort are … Read moreSparks Correspondence – April 2018

Along with the spirit of the Irish coming in on March 17, there are plenty of other opportunities to spend time with friends and family and usher in springtime. If you want a blast from the past, check out Starship featuring Mickey Thomas at the Nugget Casino Resort on March 3. Known for hit songs … Read moreSparks Correspondence – March 2018

This groundhog may or may not have seen his shadow. (Photo by Abigail Lynn on Unsplash) We are finally seeing a change in the weather, but only Punxsutawney Phil (the infamous Pennsylvanian groundhog) knows when spring will come. If you want to party with Phil’s friends on February 2, head over to O’Skis Pub … Read moreSparks Correspondence – February 2018

We made it through another year and Sparks just seems to be getting better and better. The new Pyramid & McCarran intersection opened up making it easier to get around, new schools are being built, special events throughout the year allow family and friends to get together and create long lasting memories, and more. If … Read moreSparks Correspondence – January 2018

Nevada Correspondence

Each month our intrepid correspondents file dispatches from around the state. In this edition: Gardnerville, Gerlach, Las Vegas, Lincoln County, Mesquite, Railfanning, Sparks, Tuscarora, West Wendover Gardnerville Meet Carolyn, the afternoon bartender at the “New” Overland Restaurant and Pub located in Gardnerville, NV. What’s new about it? In a word, a lot! Most people know the old Overland as a Basque restaurant located in central Gardnerville for years. Since … Read moreNevada Correspondence – August 2015

Features

Here’s what is going on in some of our Northern Nevada Cities in April Carson City Carson City has a very positive arts community with many summertime events and art galleries as well as the Carson City Museum. Next month we will look at the art culture of Carson City. In the meantime, check out an artist reception at one of my favorite Carson City art galleries, Artsy Fartsy. “Join … Read moreNorthern Nevada Arts & Artists

In the Spotlight

Besides buffets, another thing Las Vegas does well is implode hotels. So many of the grand casinos of the past 50 years — Dunes, Sands, Landmark, Hacienda, Aladdin — have been imploded, and now it’s time for the Riviera to join the list. The Riviera opened on April 20, 1955, and closed her doors for the last time on May 4, 2015. So stand aside as more Las Vegas history … Read moreLas Vegas – Correspondence – July 2015